Telephone system.



PATENTED MAR. '7, 1905.

W. D. WATKINS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 11, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED MAR. 7,, 1905.

W. D. WATKINS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 11, 1902.

3 SBBETS-SHEBT 2.

Maw/7%,

r I him ge ys PATENTED MAR. 7, 1905 W. D WATKINS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, 11, 1902.

3 SHEETS-BHEET 3.

No. 784,088. Patented Mal-e11 '2', was.

STATES PATENT N TE WILLIAM D. WATKINS, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, ASSlG-NOR TO \VAIICINS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 784,088, dated March 7, 1905.

Application filed March 11, 1902. Serial No. 97,729.

T whom 1715 y 007066771! ance with my invention. Fig. 52 is a detail 0]" Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. WVATKINs, the clapper-actuated mechanism for releasing a citizen of the United States, residing at San the automatic switch. Fig. 3 isa similar view Jose, in the county of Santa Clara and State of the switch and a portion of the mechanism 5 of California, have invented a new and useful for returning the same to an initial position.

Telephone System, of which the following is Fig. 4: is a detail sectional view of the mech- 55 a specification. anism for auton'latically returning the switch This invention relates to certain improveto initial position by the return of the rements in selecting devices for telephone sysceiver to its supporting-hook. Fig. 5 is a diatems, and has for its principal object to program illustrating the wiring ol a telephone in vidc means for cutting out every subscriber accordance with the invention and 'illnstrat- 60 from the talking-circuit and permitting the ing also a portion of the calling-circuit at ceneentral station to connect any two subscribers tral station. Fig. (:3 is a view similar to Fig. on party-lines without connecting any other 5 illustrating a modilied system of wiringjlior subscriber on the system. use in connection with a receiver-hook call- A further object ol the invention is to proing system. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating 5 vide means for automatically closing the talk a central station and two local stations coning-circuit of any selected subscriber by ennected therewith. Fig. 8 is a detail view of ergizing the calling-circuit of such subscriber, the central-station indicator.

all of the subscribers being normally con- 1n the drawings is illustrated a telephone nected to central through the calling-circuit switch-box 10, whichmay be employed in 7 and all of thelocal talking-circuits beingnorconnection with any suitable form of telcinally open. phone or microphone. The receiving and A still further object of the invention is to transmitting devices form no part of the presprovide means whereby a subscriber calling entinvention, and thereforelmm: beenomitted central may retain sole control of the callingfrom the drawings, except so far as the cir- 75 circuit until answered by central, the mechcuits are shown in Figs. and (5.

anism being such that no other subscriber is The present invention is designed for use in allowed to call central until the central station connection with party-l1nes when each subhas answered the first call. scriber on the hue is desigmtted by a dili'ereut A still further object of the invention is to numeral, each telephone being provided with 0 provide for the return of the switch of the selectingmechanism adjusted to respond only talking-circuit to initial position to cut out to the closing 01 the callingcircuit a number the local talking-circuit after a subscriber has of times equal to the number by which the telefinished using the telephone. phone is known, and central is also provided A still further object of the invention is to with mechanismwhich while responding to the 5 provide for the signaling of a selected numcall of each subscriber on the line will imme her to central by the operation of the receiverdiately indicate the number of the siiibscribcr hook. calling.

4 l Vith these and other objects in view thein- The main-line wires 11 and 12 extend from vention consists in the novel construction and the central station to the various subscribers 9 arrangement of the parts and the system herealong the line, and in the main line at the ceninalter described, illustrated in the accompatral station area pair of electromagnets 13, as nying drawings, and particularly pointed out indicated in Figs. 5, 6, and 8, which when enerin the appended claims. gized by the closing of the calling-circuit by In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective any subscriber along the line attractanarmaview of the switch-box of a telephone proture 14L, pivoted at one end on a suitable stud vided with selecting mechanism and auto- 15 and carrying at the opposite end a pawl matic switching devices arranged in accord- 16, adapted to operate on a ratchet-wlmel I7,

successive closings of the circuit effecting a step-by-step movement of said ratchet-wheel. The ratchet-wheel is held from movement in reverse direction by a retaining-1')awl 18, and,

on its supporting-spindle 19 is mounted a hand or pointer 20, adapted to travel over an indicating-dial 21, the latter being spaced and provided with numerals equal to the number of subscribers on the party-line in which the electromagnets are situated. A subscriber wishing to call central successively closes the calling-circuit at his telephone a number of times equal to the number of his telephone, causing corresponding movements of the armature and a step-by-step movement of the ratchet-wheel, which results in the travel of the hand or pointer over the indicatingdial until the number of said subscriber is reached, thus indicating to central the number of the subscriber who desires to open communication. Each subscriber, as will hereinafter more fully appear, is provided with means for closing the circuit the desired number of times, the circuit being held closed at the last movement and keeping the. electromagnet energized and the armature attracted until central responds by energizing the circuit in which said subscribers call-bell is situated. The hand or pointer 20 is so mounted on the shaft or spindle 19 as to permit its being moved back to an initial position by the operator at central without disturbing the position of the ratchet-wheel; but the frictional contact of the pointer and spindle is sufiicient to cause the movement of the pointer as the spindle and ratchet-wheel are rotated. To return the hand or pointer to initial position, the operator must close the subscribers calling-circuit, the movement of the pointer to its initial position automatically effecting the closing of such circuit.

The arrangement of the circuits is such that when a subscriber holds the circuit closed at the end of the call to central, the electromagnet 13 will be energized and will hold the armature down so that it cannot be affected by the closing of the circuit by another subscriber also wishing to call central, the first subscriber having sole control of the line and the pointer being held in adjusted position until the subscriber opens the circuit and permits the armature to withdrav from the magnets, when the magnet may be controlled in the same manner by any other subscriber Wishing to call central. This arrangement prevents confusion of signals at the central station and compels the operator at central to answer the calls in the order in which they are received, it being impossible for more than one subscriber to call up central at the same time.

Each telephone on the system is provided with means forclosing the calling-circuit, and

in the drawings 1 have illustrated two methl e I D ing the other in position to be engaged by its ods of accomplishing this result, the wiring-in one case being so arranged that the subscriber may close the circuit the desired number of times to represent the number of his telephone by lowering and raising the receiver-hook. In the other case an auxiliary switch is arranged in the circuit, the switch being adapted to travel over a number of contacts representing the number of the telephone. hen an auxiliary switch is employed, it preferably takes the form of a switch-arm 22, pivoted on a stud 23 on the lid of the switch-box 10 or at other convenient points on or near the other portions of the apparatus. The stud 23 is located centrally of a number of contact posts or blocks, four of which are shown in the present instance, the number of the subscriber being 3 and the additional block being that on which the end of the switch-arm normally rests when the talking-circuit is being used and between intervals of use of the telephone. The three blocks 24;, 25, and 26 are electrically connected to each other and to a wire 11, leading from the main-line wire 11, the connection being made through one of the hinges between the switch-box and its lid, while the additional block 27 is connected by conductors 28 and to the receiver-hook switch 29, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. On the inner surface of the box-lid, at a point below the block 27, is a metallic plate 30, having perforated ears for the support of a short spindle 31, carrying two arms 32 and 33, disposed approximately at a right angle to each other, the arm 32 making contact with one or the other of contact-fingers 34: and 35. The arm 33 at its upper or outer end is bent at a right angle or in a plane parallel with the spindle 31 and is provided with two laterallyprojecting fingers 36, having enlarged heads and forming spring-catches for engagement with the lower end of arms or levers 37 38, which are pivoted intermediate of their length on studs 39 and so disposed at their lower ends as to move toward each other by gravity. The upper ends are arranged one on each side of the clapper 40 of the electromagnetic call-bell a1 and in the path of movement of such clapper, so that when the electromagnets of the call-bell are energized and the clapper is vibrated the arms will be moved and will free the catches 36, permitting the arm 33 to fall by gravity from a vertical to a horizontal position. The lower ends of the levers 37 38 are disposed in a suitable guide-box 4.2 to prevent any outward movement from the weight of the switch, and to prevent inward movement when the switch-lever is returned to vertical position and the catches 36 are engaged with the levers 37 38. Only one of the levers and catches is in engagement at one time. the clapper-rod 4.0 stopping either at one side or the other and in engagement with one of such arms or levers and holding the same out of contact with its catch 36, but in all cases holdcatch 36. In Fig. 2 the lever 37 is in a disengaged position, while thelever 38 is in position to engage with one of the catches 36 and is directly in the path of movement of the cla iiper-rod, the first n'iovementof the latter shifting the arm and effecting its disengagement from the holding-catch.

l/Vhen the arm 33 is in the horizontal position, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, it rests on one end of a lever 44, pivoted on a pin t5, the opposite end of said lever being operated upon by a spring 46, which normally holds the upper edge of the lever against a stop-pin 47, the latter limiting its movement and serving, through the lever 4 k, to prevent eXcessive downward movement of the switch-lever. The inner end of lever 44 engages with the under side of the arm 33 at a point close to the fulcrum of the latter, so that a slight upward movement to the extent indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3 will be sutiicient to move said arm from the horizontal to the vertical position and cause the engagement of one of the holding-catches 36 with one or other of the levers 37 38.

In order to effect the automatic return of the arm to the vertical position after a subscriber has finished talking, I provide on the receiver-hook a spring 51, having a rounded boss 52 in which is formed anotch 53, and on the inner face of lever 4A is arranged a flange or lug 54, adapted to enter into said notch when the receiver-hook is in the elevated position. At a point some distance below the outer end of lever 44 is a projecting tongue with which the rounded boss 52 is adapted to engage as it reaches the limit of downward movement during the descent of the receiverhook, the spring 51. being thus pushed inward and the boss 52 moved a distance sufficient to disei'igage the lug 54 from the notch 53, after which the lever 44 is returned to its initial horizontal position in readiness to receive and support the arm at the next operation.

in addition to the automatic mechanism for returi'iing the arm to initial position 1 may employ an auxiliary crank-pin'or cam 56 on the inner end of the stud 23 of arm 22, said crankpin being so disposed with relation to the arm that the latter being in normal position in contact with the block 27 the tirst movement of the arm in the direction of contact-block 24. will cause the engagement of the crankpin with the under side of the lever 44: and will elevate the arm to the vertical position.

The electromagnets of the call-bell 41 of each telephone are in circuit with the mainline wire 11 through a conductor 60, which extends to ground, so that the central station may at any time ring the bell by energizingthe line 11.

A subscriber wishing to call central turns his switch-arm 22 from contact with the block 2? to contact with the first of the signalingblocks 24C. The circuit is then completed from main line ll, conductor ll, block 2%, switcharm 22, stud 23, to a conductor 61, which connects the stud to the plate 30. The current flows through plate 30, spindle 31, arm 32, contact-spring 34, and wire 12 to the mainline wire 12, energizing the central-station magnet 13 and moving the ratchet to the extent of one tooth. The further movement of switch-arm 22 from contact with the block 24: opens the circuit and releases the armature, the pointer, however, remaining opposite the numeral l on the dial. The further movement of switch-arm 22 to contact with block 25 produces a similar result to that effected by its contact with the block 24:, and in similar manner the circuit isclosed for the third time when the switch-arm makes contact with the block 26, where it is allowed to remain, keeping the magnet 13 at the central station energized and holding the hand or pointer over the indicating-dial opposite the numeral 3 and preventing any other snl scriber from moving the indicator by o iening the circuit of the magnet. Central then answers the call and energizes the magnets of the call-bell 4L1,

the first movement of the clapper-rod efiect-. mg a movement of one or other of the levers 37 38, releasing the switch-arm 33, which falls to horizontal position and moves the arm 32 from contact with the contact-s n'i1'1g34: to the lower contact-spring As the subscriber raises the receiver from the hook the inner end of the, latter is moved into contact with the two receiver-hook contacts 29 29, placing such contacts in electrical communication and establishing a circuit through both the re ceiver and the transmitter. The circuit may be traced through main-line wire 12 and receiver to receiver-hook contact 29, receiverhook contact 29, wire (55, wire 28, contactblock 27, switch-arm 22, (which has been moved to normal position after central has an swered the call,) stud 23, Wire 61, plate 30, spindle 31, arm 32, spring 35, wire (36, wire (57, the transmitter, and wire (53 to main-line wire 11.

After the subscriber has finished talking he places the receiver on the hook, causing the descent of the hook and the movement of the lever 44 through its engagement with the notched boss 52 and raising switch-arm 33 to the initial position in readiness for another call. As this return of the arm to its initial position is accomplished automatically, the subscriber immediately cuts himself out of the talking-circuit and cannot by again removing the receiver from the hook listen to any coni versation on the line, nor can he communicate with any person, except through the signalingcircuit, until central by energizing his call-bell 4:1 releases the arm 33 and closes the local talking-circuit.

The device as thus far described necessitates the employment ol the auxiliary switch-arm 22 and the several contact-blocks on the calllug-circuit; but the switch-arm and contactblocks may be dispensed with and the wiring simplified to a considerable extent by arranging the system as indicated in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 6 the system is practically the same as that heretofore'described and illustrated in Fig. 5. the various contact-blocks 24 25 26 27 and the switch-arm 22 being dispensed with. The corresponding portions of Figs. 5 and 6 are designated by the same reference-numerals, and it will be observed that, as before, the call-bell 4:1 is in a circuit extending from main-line wire 11 to wire 60 to ground. The only break in the circuit, except that made by the previously-described movement of the switch-arm 33, is at the receiver-hook contacts 29 and 29. hen a subscriber wishes to signal his telephone-number to central, he raises the receiver-hook a sulficient number of times, each upward movement of the hook closing the circuit between contacts 29 29' and establishing a circuit which may be traced through main-line wire 11, wire 11, spring 34, arm 32, spindle 31, plate 30, wire 65, con' tact 29, receiver-hook,contact 29, wire 7 O, the receiver, main-line wire 12. After receiving an answer from central the switch-arm 33 is dropped,and the receiver being removed from the hook the talking-circuit may be traced from main-line wire 12 through the receiver, wire 70, contact 29, the receiver-hook, contact 29, wire 65, plate 30, spindle 31, arm 32, spring 35, wire 67, the transmitter, and wire 68 to main-line wire 11.

The mechanism at the central station may be of the most simple character and in cludes, in addition to the indicator, a battery X and call-bell Y, arranged in the main-line. In addition to this central is provided with a ground-wire 80, connected to the main line, and in this wire is a source of electrical energy, as indicated at 81, for sending an alternating current over the line, and a switch 82, by which the current may be controlled, the operator closing the switch for a number of times, dependent on the number of the subscriber to be called, in order to operate the selecting mechanism and then holding the circuit closed for a sufiicient length of time to cause the ringing of the call-bell of the selected subscriber. At central station is also shown an operators talking set, including the usual transmitter, receiver, and local battery, the secondary being bridged across the main line.

The system is wholly and completely under the control of central, and no other subscriber except those whose call-bells and switch-arms 33 have been operated by central can use the talking-circuit or listen to any conversation on the line.

In order that central in sending a callingsignal may operate only the bell of the desired subscriber, I employ in connection with the bell and its operating-magnet a selecting mechanism, which may be of the character shown in Letters Patent No. 695,976, granted to me on June 26, 1902, or of any other character suitable for the purpose, the selecting mechanism being so arranged as to engage the clapper of the bell and normally lock the sameuntil the operatorat central releases it by closing the circuit the proper number of times.

Vfhile the construction herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings is the preferred form of the device, it is obvious that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A telephone system including a signaling and a talking circuit, an electromagneticallyactuated selecting device arranged in the signaling-circuit, a call-bell controlled by the selecting device and including a movable member, and a switch controlled by said movable member for placing the local talking-circuit in communication with the main line.

2. In a telephone system, a main line, a central station, a plurality of telephones connected therewith, the local talking-circuit of each telephone being normally cut out independently of the receiver-hook contacts, a switch normally locked in open position and disposed in said local talking-circuit, a selecting device controlling the switch, and a local signalingcircuit for operating the selector, said signaling-circuit being in constant communication with the main line, and means operable from the central station for operating the selector and releasing the switch to permit the closing of the local talking-circuit.

v 3. In telephony, a main line, a local signaling-circuit, a selecting mechanism, a call-bell controlled by the selecting mechanism, a normally cut-out talking-circuit, and a switch disposed in said talking-circuit and normally held in open position, said switch being released and closed by the vibratory movement of the bell-clapper.

1. A telephone system comprising a main line, a local signaling-circuit in constant communication with the main line, a selecting mechanism and an electromagnetically-operated bell in the signaling-circuit, a normally cut-out local talking-circuit, and a switch in said talking-circuit, said switch being operabl y connected to the clapper of the bell and being released from a normally locked position when the clapper is actuated to thereby connect the local talking-circuit to the main line.

5. In a telephone system, a main line, and a central station, a normally cut-out local talking-circuit, a signaling-circuit in constant IIC plurality o'l telephones, the local talking-cirvs toe 8 communication with the main line and including a call-bell, a selecting mechanism arranged in said signalii'ig-circuit and controlling the operation of the call-bell, said selecting mechanism being under the control of the central station, and a switch operable on the sounding of the call-bell and serving to place the local talking-circuit in communication with the main line.

6. In a telephone system, the combination with the main line, a local talking-circuit disconnected from the main line independently of the receiver-hook-controlled contacts, asignaling circuit constantly connected in the main line, a switch under the control of the signaling-circuit for placing said talking-circuit in connnuniation with the main line, and manually operable means at each station for returning said-switch to an initial position after each operation.

7. In a telephone system, a main line and a cuit of each telephone being normally disconnected from the main line, a local signalingcircuit in constant communication with the main line and including a call-bell, a switch for placing the local talhing circuit in cominul'lication with the main lineand a selecting mechanism in the signaling-oircuitcontrolling the operation of the call-bell, the movement of the bell-clapper effecting the closing of the switch and placing the talking-circuit in communication with the main line.

8. In a telephone system, the combination with a party-line and a series of telephones each having its local tal king-circuit out of communication with the main line, of a grounded local signaling-circuit including a bell constantly connected in the main line, a switch for placing the local talking-circuit in communication with the main line and controlled by the movement oi the bell-clapper, an electromechanically-operated selecting mechanism located in the signaling-circuit and controlling the movel'nent of the bell-clapper.

9. A party-line telephone system comprising a main line, a telephone having its local talking-circuit normally cut out from the main line, a signaling-circuit, a switch havinga pivotal support and adapted to place the local talking circuit in communication with the main line, an electromagnetic call-bell located in the signaling-circuit, a pair of pivoted arms disposed one on each side of the clapper-rod 01 said bell and serving to hold the switch in elevated position, and means for returning the switch to an initial position.

10. in a telephone system, a normally open local tall ing-circuit, a normally closed signalii'1g-circuit, a call-bell arranged in the signaling-circuit, a pair 01" pivoted arms situated one on each side of the clapper-rod 01" the bell and adapted to be operated thereby, a pivoted switch arranged in the talking-circuit and having devices for engaging said pivoted arms, a l

lever for raising the switch to open position, and means for operating said lever.

11. In a telephone system, a normally open local talking-circuit, a normally closed signaling-circuit, a call-bell arranged in the signaling-circuit, a pair of pivoted arms arranged one on each sideot the clapper-rod and adapted to be operated thereby, a pivoted switch arranged in the talking-circuit and having devices for engaging said pivoted arms, a lever for returning the switch to open position, and a yielding boss carried by the receiver-hook ot' the telephone for engagement with said lever.

12. The combination of the switch, means for dropping said switch to closed position, a lever for returning the switch to open position, said lever having a projecting tongue or flange, a receiver-h0ol(, a spring carried thereby, a notched boss mounted on the spring for engagement with said flange or tongue, and means for effecting the disengagement of the notched boss from the flange or tongue after the switch has been moved to open position. 13. The combination with a signaling-circuit, of a gravity-switch, means for dropping the switch to closed position, a lever for returning the switch to open position, a revolnble contact-switch arranged in the signalingcircuit, and a crank-arm carried by said revoluble contact-switch for engagement with the returning-lever, substantially as specified.

14:. The combination oi. the local talking and signaling circuits, a pivotally-disposed switch, means for connecting the switch with one of the line-wires, contact-springs adapted for engagement by the switch and situated one in the signaling-circuit and the other in the talking-circuit, and mechanism under the control of the signaling-circuit for permitting a movement of the switch to engage the contact-spring in the talking-circuit and thereby close said circuit through the line-wire connected with the switch, substantially as specilied.

15. The combination with a normally open local talking-circuit, 01'' a signaling-circuit, a switch, means under the control oi the signaling-circuitlor permitting a movement of said switch to close the talking-circuit, a series ol contact-blocks arranged in the signaling-circuit, and a revoluble switch in the signalingcircuit adapted to make contact with the successive blocks, said revoluble switch being provided with means for engaging theswitch oi the talking-circuit and returning the same toopen position.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereto atlixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

\VlLLlANl l). W ATKINS.

Witnesses:

JNo. E. PA'mncn, J. Ross Uotn'onv. 

